They all have a common ancestor and that common ancestor probably dates back to 2019." Marc Van Ranst, a virologist at the University of Leuven in Belgium, told The Guardian: "This may be a virus that's been circulating undetected for quite a while. Everyone is being asked to be aware of monkeypox symptoms, but it is important that gay and bisexual men are alert as it's believed to be spreading in sexual networks." Giri Shankar, director of health protection at Public Health Wales, told the BBC: "It is usually a mild self-limiting illness, and most people recover within a few weeks, however, severe illness can occur in some individuals.
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The disease, which is mainly circulating among men who have sex with men, usually has relatively minor symptoms in addition to the skin lesions and most people make a full recovery in two to four weeks. The UK is attempting to contain its outbreak by isolating the known close contacts of people with the disease, and by offering them smallpox vaccinations.
While the UK is the worst-affected nation outside Africa, the outbreak has spread to at least 20 countries and caused more than 200 confirmed cases. The UK Health Security Agency said the nation had confirmed 79 cases as of Tuesday. Previously, the UK's health authorities had said the source of the current outbreak was an infected person who arrived from Nigeria on May 4. Heymann said some of those infections could have been passed on and the disease could have been circulating in the UK ever since, although he said the possibility needs further investigation.Īn undetected earlier source of the current outbreak would explain why it is similar to a strain that reached the UK, Israel, and Singapore in 20. Three more people arrived with monkeypox in 2021. Heymann explained that four confirmed cases of monkeypox were detected in the UK during 20 among people who arrived from Nigeria.
"It could hypothetically be that the virus transmission amplified from this low level of transmission when, by chance, it entered the population that is, at present, amplifying transmission," he said. He said monkeypox, which can cause unsightly skin lesions, could simply have remained undetected.
Previously, it was not thought to have circulated outside Africa. Monkeypox may have been circulating in the United Kingdom for years, a scientist has said.ĭavid Heymann, who chairs a World Health Organization expert group on infectious diseases, told The Guardian newspaper the virus, which is common in Africa, could have been in the UK for two or three years. “If anyone suspects they might have rashes or lesions on any part of their body, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner, they should limit their contact with others and contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service as soon as possible, though please phone ahead before attending in person.Test tube labeled "Monkeypox virus positive" is seen in this illustration taken May 22, 2022. This advice applies to everyone but because the majority of cases identified to date have been among men who are gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (MSM), the UKHSA is asking this community in particular to be aware of the symptoms.ĭr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser for the UKHSA, said: “We are continuing to promptly identify further monkeypox cases in England through our extensive surveillance and contact tracing networks, our vigilant NHS services, and thanks to people coming forward with symptoms. The UKHSA says the risk to the UK population remains low, but officials are asking people to be alert to any new rashes or lesions on any part of their body.
The first case of monkeypox in the UK was confirmed on 7 May, but as i revealed on Wednesday the virus may have arrived in the country in the middle of March, meaning public health officials still have work to do to track down all cases. 'I ran out of jars to collect my skin in': People with eczema on topical steroid withdrawal 28 May, 2022 Living with XLH: ‘This isn't normal, you should have the energy to walk upstairs’ 28 May, 2022 Pet hamsters in monkeypox homes will be removed over fears virus could spread via wildlife 27 May, 2022